University of Minnesota alumni John and Nancy Lindahl have made a $17 million gift to the school, with $12 million of that dedicated to the athletic village that the school hopes to start building this year, the university announced Thursday.

The gift includes $2 million for the Carlson School of Management, $2 million for the College of Education and Human Development and $1 million for pediatric cardiology research. It's been in the works for some time, and the athletics department already had been counting it with the $70 million that has been raised toward the $150 million athletic village.

The Lindahls co-chaired the fundraising efforts for TCF Bank Stadium donated $1 million to that project themselves. John Lindahl was a founding partner of Northwest Equity Partners in Minneapolis, and Nancy Lindahl is a past president of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.

"When I walk across campus, I see the influence of John and Nancy all around me," University president Eric Kaler said in the press release. "From Northrop to children's health research to endowed professorships to TCF Bank Stadium, their unwavering enthusiasm, hard work, and generosity are immeasurable. The University will long benefit from these gifts as well as the advocacy and energy they bring to all they do on behalf of this University."

Added Athletics Director Norwood Teague: "John and Nancy Lindahl are two of the proudest supporters of Gopher Athletics and our student-athletes in the entire state of Minnesota. This most generous gift is yet another example of their belief in this University and the student-athletes it develops into the future leaders of our local communities. As always, John and Nancy choose to lead by example and we are eternally grateful for their dedication and commitment inherent in this campaign gift."